Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1532761
M A R C H 2 0 2 5 6 1 W W W . B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . C O M P enn State landed its first verbal commitment of the new year when three-star cornerback Julian Pe- terson of Winslow (N.J.) Township High announced on Jan. 25 that he plans to sign with the Nittany Lions. Peterson had been on the staff's ra- dar since 2023 when he visited campus along with one of his high school team- mates, receiver Cam Miller. The Lions ended up focusing on other wideout prospects, and Miller signed with Ken- tucky this past December. But the staff kept up its pursuit of Peterson, extend- ing a scholarship offer two months after his visit. Peterson returned to campus last June, and it proved to be a crucial mo- ment in his recruitment. The 6-foot-2, 180-pound prospect ran a 4.48-second 40-yard dash and had a 9-foot, 9-inch broad jump that day, showing he had the athletic ability to play at college football's highest level. "He's got the size and the speed. He's also smart and athletic, so he can do everything that you're looking for," said Bill Belton, the former Penn State run- ning back who is now head coach at Winslow Township. "For us, he's a crazy talent. The sky's the limit for him. But also, he's a wonderful kid who comes from a great family, a family of athletes. I'm extremely happy and excited for Jules. He fits everything they're look- ing for." Listed by On3 as the No. 9 player in New Jersey and No. 42 cornerback nationally, Peterson became a priority for PSU after his camp performance. In addition to the recruiting staff, who checked up on him almost daily, Belton said that both cornerbacks coach Terry Smith and regional recruiter Deion Barnes were regularly involved. "Between Terry and Deion, they did a great job showing him why he's a guy who really fits their mold for DBs," Belton said. "I think anytime a recruit is looking at a school in general, they should be thinking, 'Do the players they have look like me? Does their scheme fit me?' "For Jules, all of those boxes checked for him, as well as the education piece. His family is really big on finding a spot where he's going to get a great educa- tion. I think Penn State did a good job of showing his family that. It's just a great fit all around." Credited with 10 tackles, includ- ing 2 for loss, in five games as a junior, Peterson earned 15 scholarship offers. He received an offer from Georgia af- ter camping there in late July. Once the Bulldogs got involved, his recruitment quickly became a two-horse race. "It was between Georgia and Penn State," Belton said. "I know he visited Georgia at least twice this year. He camped there in the summer and then he went to the Georgia-Georgia Tech game. He was going back and forth between those two as he was getting closer to making a decision. Ultimately, he chose Penn State, and I think it's a great fit for him." In addition to his play on the field, Peterson is a 4.0 student. In the locker room, Belton said he's more of a lead- by-example type of player, but the coach also made it clear that Peterson isn't afraid to step up when needed. "Jules is definitely one of those guys who goes about his business the right way," Belton said. "Off the field, he's fairly quiet, but then on the field, he turns into a different guy. He definitely flips that switch. What I like about him is that, when he's not flying around and being the one making plays, he's the first one there celebrating with team- mates. I think that's how he brings lead- ership more than anything. He's always there for his guys." ■ New Jersey Cornerback Brings 'Crazy Talent' To PSU RYA N S N Y D E R | RYA N . S N Y D E R @ O N 3 . C O M The 6-foot-2 Peterson has evoked comparisons to former Penn State All-American Joey Porter Jr. Peterson chose the Nittany Lions over Georgia in January. PHOTO COURTESY JULIAN PETERSON You look at what Peterson brings to the table, and he's like a 3D printed version of former Penn State All-American Joey Porter Jr. He's as close to 6-2 as you can get, and he ran a 4.48-second 40 and 4.3 shuttle at camp last year. Athletically, and with his length, he's a prototypical new-age corner- back. I still think he's got to make strides on the field, but a 6-2 corner who can run in the 4.4s is going to raise some eyebrows. I think he's a good fit in that respect, and I'm very curious to see how this plays out. He's a high three-star prospect, which seems about right for the moment. There's a lot of upside on the back end." — Sean Fitz P L A Y E R E V A L U A T I O N COMMITMENT PROFILE JULIAN PETERSON